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Samantha Lamoureux
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For determining both timing and mechanism ofskeletal trauma
To understand biological parameters of past human
populations Temporal trends
Social structure
Interpersonal violence and warfare
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Antemortem
Refers to an alteration producedbefore an individuals death that
displays evidence of osteogenic
reaction. Features:
Evidence of healing or healedfractures
Development of a pseudarthrosis
Trauma-induced degenerative jointdisease
Infectious response
Dental fractures with worn edges
Surgically implanted devices
Refers to an injury occurring at oraround the time of death
Features:
Lack of osteological activity Healing or infectious
response Presence of fresh bone fracture
characteristics Plastic response
Absence of dry bone fracturecharacteristics Angular fractures
An overall fracture patterncharacteristic of a terminal event
Perimortem
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Trauma: Injury to livingtissue that is caused by aforce or mechanismextrinsic to the body.
Includes: Dislocations Fractures Trephination Weapon wounds Amputation
Exostoses Cannibalism
Accidental/ violentcauses of trauma
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Force(s) that produce skeletal alterations
Assessment of trauma mechanism is dependent on: Pattern recognition
Contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic factors Types of mechanisms:
High-velocity projectile
Sharp force
Blunt force Thermal exposure
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Produced by impact from a projectile travelling at ahigh rate of speed
Features
Presence of a projectile in/with the bone Projectile entrance and/or exit wound characteristics
Presence of residue
Fracture pattern indicating a high velocity impact
Beveling of concentric fractures in bones of the cranialvault
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Produced by a tool that is edged, pointed or beveled
Features: Straight-line incised alterations
Punctures or gouges Chop or hack marks (clefts)
Kerfs
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Produced by low-velocity impact from a blunt object Being struck by an object or concussive wave
Or low-velocity impact of a body with a blunt surface
Features: Plastic deformation
Delamination
Fracture pattern
Tool marks or tool impressions indicating an impact Beveling of concentric fractures in the cranial vault
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Produced by exposure to high temperature or directcontact with flame Color changes
(e.g., yellow, black, white)
Delamination Burn pattern
Shrinkage
Charring or calcination
Fractures
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The Analysis of Burned Human Remains- Christopher W.Schmidt
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Mechanisms
Fractures occur whenforces inflicted on the
bone exceed theelasticity of its structure
Forces may include Flexion (bending) Shearing Compression Rotation Tension
Complete or incomplete
Intra-articular, or extra-
articular Open (compound) or
closed (simple)
Direct force or indirectforce
Classifications
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Environmental: Water and fluvial
processes
Sandblasting
Weathering
Burial
Acid errosion
Mineralization by
ground water
Animal: Trampling,
Disarticulation/scattering
Gnawing, and digestion
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Douglas H. Ubelaker. Taphonomic Applications inForensic Anthropology. In Forensic Taphonomy, edited by
W. D. Haglund and M. H. Sorg, pp. 77-90. CRC Press, NewYork.
Sauer, N.J. The Timing of Injuries and Manner of Death:Distinguishing among Antemortem, Perimortem andPostmortem Injuries. In: Forensic Osteology II, (K. Reichs,ed.), Springfield, Charles C. Thomas. 1998.
Walker, Phillip L. (2001). "A Bioarchaeological Perspectiveon the History of Violence."Annual Review of
Anthropology 30:573596.